President Joyce Banda condemned some senior traditional leaders who have been reported to be demanding payments from their subordinate chiefs to be included among an additional 20, 000 chiefs on the payroll.

“Why are some people just happy to be wicked? Why can’t they be honest and considerate?

“Let me issue a stern warning that the chiefs who are involved in this malpractice will be brought to book. This is criminal,” warned President Banda when she presided over the elevation of Traditional Authority Liwonde to Senior Chief at Namandanje Primary School in Liwonde, Machinga

Turning to the elevated Chief, President Banda commended him for his rate attributes of honesty and principled leadership. She advised him to seek the guidance of God always to be able to lead his people well.

JB poses with the Royal Couple and one of their great grand children

“Always make sure you are fair to everyone of your people,” she advised the chief to whom to she gave a sum of K500, 000 and refrigerator as her expression of congratulations for attaining his promotion.

She invited all traditional leaders in Malawi to come aboard her train on a journey to develop the country and improve the lives of its people.

Speaking during the function, Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, Grace Maseko, commended President Banda for restoring the respect that the chiefs had hitherto lost during the reigns of her predecessors.

“I wish to thank you on behalf of the people of Malawi that during your short time as Malawi leader you have elevated several chiefs, while many are enjoying the dignity due to their positions, which they had lost in the past,” said Maseko.

She also praised and expressed gratitude to the Malawi leader for directing that an additional 20, 000 traditional leaders should be included on the pay roll of monthly honoraria.

The chieftaincy of Liwonde originated from Mpiliro in the area of Chief Mwikhwini in Mozambique in 1820.

The current Senior Chief, whose birth name is Silesi Guluhani, was born on October 11, 1930. President Banda officially promoted him on December 31, 2012.

The function at Namandanje Primary School ground on Tuesday was to formally effect the promotion with physical enthronement.

Traditional Authority Chiwalo, who narrated the history of the Chieftancy of Liwonde, expressed gratitude to President Banda for, unlike her three predecessors, elevating the status of the Liwonde’s authority and expanding the frontiers of its jurisdiction.

Group Village Headman Liwonde, who spoke on behalf of the family of Senior Chief Liwonde, said the elevation of the chieftaincy was like causing the exhumation and resurrection of the long forgotten dead.

“When you look at the history, this is one of the oldest chieftaincies in the country. But it was buried all these years. It is you who have exhumed and resurrected it with this promotion,” said Headman Liwonde.

He said people in the area will repay her generosity to the chieftaincy by making sure she is retained in power beyond the 2014 presidential elections.

A procession of Chief Liwonde makes its way to the podium at the start of the ceremony